Podcast
Real Estate Exam Prep
Hosted by Ran Chen, EA, CFP® · EN
Real Estate Exam Prep is a daily podcast designed to help future real estate agents pass their licensing exams with clarity and confidence.
Built and operated by OpenExamPrep, this podcast breaks down the real estate exam into focused, easy-to-digest episodes covering both the national portion and state-specific requirements. Each episode targets one key concept, common exam trap, or high-frequency test topic—making it ideal for studying during commutes, workouts, or short study sessions.
Created by Ran Chen, EA, CFP®, a financial professional and exam specialist who has personally passed multiple professional licensing exams, Real Estate Exam Prep was developed from firsthand experience with how difficult—and often poorly taught—exam material can be. The goal is simple: make exam preparation clearer, more accessible, and more effective using structured explanations and modern learning tools. Whether you’re just starting your real estate exam journey or reviewing before test day, this podcast is designed to guide you step by step—one concept at a time.
Free practice tools, AI-powered explanations, and additional exam prep resources are available at: https://open-exam-prep.com/
89episodes
Episodes
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Florida Real Estate Exam Prep 07, Real Estate Services and License Exemptions
2w ago00:03:15Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Performing any of the "A BAR SALE" activities (Appraising, Buying, Auctioning, Renting, Selling, Advertising, Leasing, Exchanging) for another for compensation requires a Florida real estate license. - Property owners are exempt from licensure when buying, selling, or leasing their own property. - Salaried employees of a property owner are only exempt if their compensation is not based on transactions, such as bonuses per lease. - Attorneys are only exempt when performing real estate services strictly within the scope of their duties for a legal client. - Individuals acting under a court order or with a power of attorney do not need a license for those specific duties. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Florida Real Estate Exam Prep 06, Broker Qualifications and Registration
2w ago00:02:43Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The '24 in 5' experience rule: You need 24 months of active experience within the last 5 years to qualify for a broker's license. - The key difference between a Broker, who can operate their own firm, and a Broker Associate, who is broker-qualified but works under another broker. - Why your license automatically becomes inactive when you terminate your employment with a broker. - The strict 10-day deadline to notify the DBPR of any change in your employer or mailing address. - How the exam tests the difference between the 72-hour broker pre-license course and the 63-hour sales associate course. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Florida Real Estate Exam Prep 05, License Status Renewal and Education
2w ago00:03:17Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - A sales associate's first renewal requires a 45-hour post-licensing course; failure results in a null and void license. - All subsequent renewals require 14 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. - Failure to complete the 14-hour CE places a license in an involuntarily inactive status for up to two years. - Reactivating an involuntarily inactive license requires 14 hours of CE in the first 12 months, or a 28-hour course in months 13-24. - Suspended and revoked statuses are disciplinary actions from FREC, unlike administrative statuses such as active or inactive. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Florida Real Estate Exam Prep 04, FREC Membership and Powers
2w ago00:02:53Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - FREC is composed of 7 members: 4 brokers (licensed 5+ years), 1 licensee (licensed 2+ years), and 2 unlicensed lay members. - Members are appointed by the Governor for four-year terms, and at least one member must be age 60 or older. - FREC's powers are quasi-legislative (rulemaking) and quasi-judicial (discipline), but they cannot impose criminal penalties like jail time. - The DBPR is responsible for administrative functions and investigating complaints against licensees. - A common exam trap is confusing the roles; the DBPR investigates, while FREC adjudicates and disciplines based on those investigations. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Florida Real Estate Exam Prep 03, Florida Statutes and FREC Rules
2w ago00:03:26Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The crucial difference between statutes created by the Legislature (Chapter 475 & 455) and administrative rules created by FREC (61J2). - The specific quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). - How the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Division of Real Estate (DRE) provide administrative support. - Common exam traps that test your knowledge of which entity has the authority to issue licenses, discipline licensees, or create rules. - Why the FREC can issue fines and suspend licenses, but cannot impose criminal penalties like imprisonment. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Florida Real Estate Exam Prep 02, Sales Associate License Requirements
2w ago00:01:42Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The basic eligibility requirements for a Florida sales associate license, including age and education. - The two-year validity period for the mandatory 63-hour pre-licensing course and its exam implications. - The application process with the DBPR, including background checks and scheduling the exam with Pearson VUE. - The critical difference between passing the state exam (which results in an inactive license) and having an active license. - The essential role of an employing broker in activating your license to legally perform real estate services. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Florida Real Estate Exam Prep 01, Exam Format and Passing Score
2w ago00:02:54Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The Florida real estate exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, has a 3.5-hour time limit, and requires a score of 75 to pass. - A winning study plan requires focusing on the most heavily weighted of the nineteen official content areas, not studying them all equally. - The three most important topics to master are Real Estate Brokerage Activities (12%), Real Estate Contracts (12%), and Residential Mortgages (9%). - An effective test-day strategy is to answer all certain questions first, flag difficult ones for later, and manage your time carefully on the 10 math problems. - Use the mnemonic “Big C.R.M.” (Contracts, Real Estate Brokerage, Mortgages) to remember where to focus the majority of your study efforts. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Real Estate Exam [California] 50, California Real Estate Exam Strategy and Traps
4w ago00:03:51Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The seven most important topics to focus on for the California Real Estate Exam. - The difference between commingling and conversion of trust funds and how it's tested. - Key exemptions for the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) that frequently appear on the exam. - How Proposition 13's tax assessment rules are framed in exam questions. - Common wording traps in contracts and contingencies designed to confuse test-takers. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Real Estate Exam [California] 49, Ethics and Serving Diverse Populations
4w ago00:03:18Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Why California's duty of honesty requires disclosing all known material facts, even if not directly asked. - How to identify and refuse seemingly innocent client requests that could constitute illegal steering. - The professional standard for language access issues, including when to recommend a professional translator. - The clear line for avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law by always referring legal questions to an attorney. - How to uphold your fiduciary duty to vulnerable clients, especially when they face pressure from family members. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →Real Estate Exam [California] 48, Commercial, Industrial, and Income Properties
4w ago00:03:03Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - A triple net (NNN) lease requires the tenant to pay for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance (TIM). - A percentage lease, common in retail, includes a base rent plus a percentage of the tenant's gross sales. - The capitalization rate formula is Net Operating Income (NOI) divided by the property's value; mortgage payments are not included in NOI. - An estoppel certificate is a document signed by a tenant that confirms their current lease terms for a prospective buyer or lender. - Environmental due diligence, such as a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, is crucial for identifying potential contamination and liability for commercial property buyers. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
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